Page 5 of A Crown of Hopes and Sorrows

She shook her head, and we made our way across the lawn, through the gardens, and into the palace to a room with tall windows and several dozen men who frowned at us. Apollo, who stood at Hyacinth’s side, shifted his eyes towards me, his lips pinching. I didn’t like that—him worrying about me. I was supposed to be the one who worried about him.

Epiphany placed her hands together in her lap as I dropped into a seat beside her.

King Magnes sat and nodded. “Let’s open today with discussing Apollo’s strategy. Asher?”

A large man with thick, dark hair spoke. “After conferring with our various military leaders, Your Highness, we believe it may be a wise measure before we request alliances with other kingdoms.”

The king bobbed his head. “Very good. Regarding Artemis’ idea about the widow’s law for hunting”—he nodded at me—“any insight?”

Joden, who had a sharp nose and sour expression, lifted his chin. “How will this feel for hunters who pay taxes? I believe, Your Highness, it may encourage others to skirt paying their due and could cause unrest among those who continue.”

King Magnes studied him and shifted towards a man with long, brown hair. “Do you have any insight, Roan?”

He sighed. “While I agree with Joden that some will grumble over the change, I doubt it will alter the number of people in the kingdom claiming their kills. And”—he laughed—“how many animals could a bunch of widows bring down, anyway?” A few of the other advisors chuckled.

I bit my tongue even though I wanted to assert that the women could clear their forests if they wished to. But that comment would only hinder the aim here. And I had a deep sense of respect that Hyacinth and his father took up the issue to begin with. I wouldn’t thwart it.

The king nodded. “Very well; we’ll pass it then and bring it back for further review at our next meeting. On the other topic regarding Artemis, have you had any insight, Hierophant?”

The priest shook his head, lifting his wrinkled face towards me. “I’m afraid not. However, we all know who may have information.”

“Who?” I gasped the word out but then shifted in the king's direction and offered a half bow from my seat. He gave me a warm smile.

“Sappho of Lesbos.”

Joden scoffed. “That witch trades in gossip and salaciousness.”

“Which is precisely why,” the priest said to him before shifting back to me, “she is the best option for answers. She’s very well connected with the gods, the western ones, and those from Mt. Olympus and regularly hosts them. Further…” He draped his fingers together “Yes, we all know she is a keeper of secrets of sorts. So, I believe she would be an excellent place to start a search for information.”

The king’s jaw jumped, but he nodded. “Sappho is an ally of Niria. We’d be wise, with the way things are changing, to touch in with that connection.” Several of the advisors bobbed their heads.

“I’ll visit her,” I said. “Thank you.”

Another advisor started discussing a different topic. Epiphany squirmed in her seat, her foot jostling beside me during the rest of the hour. When we made it out, she swept towards me. “Could I go with you?”

“Where?”

Her dark hair glimmered in sunlight that poured through the window in the hallway. “To Lesbos.”

“Will you be able to?”

She winced, but straightened her posture. “If I am, would I be in the way if I came with you?”

I released a breath and squeezed her fingers. “I’d love to have you join me.”

She smirked. “Then I’ll figure out how I can go.”

I chuckled, but if I knew anything about her, that was true. I looped my arm into hers, and we strode down the hallway together.

3

Hyacinth

I followed Father into his office. He left the door ajar and gestured to a seat, which I took. The ceramic birds on the desk gleamed alongside bottles of spirits. Tall windows silhouetted him as he opened his mouth to speak, but Epiphany appeared in the doorway, pressing her hands together. “Father, do you have a moment?”

He cleared his throat and waved her in. She drew in a deep breath, offering a glance at me before returning her attention to Father. “I’d like to ask your permission to travel with Temi on her trip.”

Father sat up straighter in his chair and frowned. “Epiphany—”